Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where, when clicking on a link, the system insists on opening it in the browser, ignoring the installed application. For example, a video link can be led to YouTube via the web interface, rather than in the native client, which is much less convenient, this behavior is due to the security settings of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, which by default isolate processes to protect user data.
However, many users prefer to run content in applications to get advanced functionality and authorization. The problem is solved not by removing the browser, but by correctly configuring the “Open by default” settings. In this article, we will discuss how to force the system to use the desired program, reset erroneous priorities and avoid typical errors in the configuration of Android.
It’s worth noting that link algorithms can vary depending on the operating system version. Whereas older versions of Android had to simply select an action once, modern versions require a deeper dive into the settings menu, understanding these differences will help you save time and nerves when setting up your device.
Why links are opened in the browser instead of the application
The main reason that links open in the browser is because of the Intent processing mechanism in the Android operating system. When you click on a hyperlink, the system looks for an application that claims to support this type of URI. If the browser is declared as a priority handler or if you previously accidentally ticked the Always box, the system will ignore other options.
MIUI also has its own security mechanisms, which can block third-party applications from automatically running if they do not have the appropriate permissions or if their digital signature is suspicious of the built-in antivirus, often after a system update, when user preferences are reset.
⚠️ Warning: If a security alert pops up when you try to open a link from Xiaomi, don't ignore it thoughtlessly.Make sure the app is downloaded from the official Google Play store or GetApps, not from a questionable source.
Also, some web pages use redirects that force the user to the browser even if the application is installed, which requires not only the setting of the phone, but also the check of the resource itself, but in 90% of cases the problem is solved at the level of the smartphone settings.
Set up the opening parameters by default
To change the behavior of the system, you need to manually specify the priority application, this is done through the standard Android settings menu, which is available on all Xiaomi devices, and first you need to find a specific application that should open links, such as Telegram or Viber.
Go to the settings menu and select the Apps section, find the program you want in the list and click on it. Next, you're interested in Open by Default (or Launch by Default), and here you'll see the Open Supported Links switch.
☑️ Setting priorities
Once this option is enabled, the system can suggest selecting specific types of links. Make sure that the boxes are ticked against all the domains you want to open in this app. For example, for Instagram, these can be links like instagram.com and www.instagram.com.
It's important to understand that Open by Default has the highest priority over system choices, and if you set it right, the question "What to Open?" will stop appearing, and the transition will be instantaneous.
Reset browser settings and clear priorities
If simply turning on the option didn't help, it means that the system has an old priority, most often the settings of the Chrome browser or the built-in Mi Browser stick, and to fix this, you need to reset the default settings for the browser that intercepts links.
Follow the following steps:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
- 🌐 Find your primary browser (such as Chrome).
- 🗑️ Click on “Clear” or “Reset default settings».
- 🔄 Repeat the procedure for the second browser if it is installed.
After resetting the next time you click on the link, the system will ask again what to open it, at which point select the desired application and be sure to click Always to capture the choice.
What if there is no “Always” button?
The effectiveness of the method depends on how deep the file associations are written in the system. In rare cases, a complete reset of application preferences is required, but this is an extreme measure, since it will affect all programs on the device.
Use of third-party launchers and managers
For advanced users who don’t have the standard MIUI tools, there are specialized link manager apps that allow you to create complex rules, like opening work links in one browser and entertainment links in another.
One popular solution is the Open Link With app, or analogues, which you can designate as the default link handler after installing. Inside the program, you set up the rule, "If a link contains youtube.com, open it on YouTube."
| Annex | Type | Difficulty setting up | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| System settings | Built-in | Low. | Tall. |
| Open Link With | Away. | Medium | Maximum |
| Link Sheet | Away. | Tall. | Tall. |
Using third-party managers gives you flexibility, but requires additional permissions, and security in this case falls on the shoulders of the user: download such utilities only from trusted repositories.
💡
Use Do Not Disturb mode in your browser if it pops up on top of other windows all the time.This is a temporary solution, but it helps you focus on setting up your main application.
Features of working with Deep Links in MIUI and HyperOS
Deep Links technology allows websites to run specific screens directly within apps. However, Xiaomi shells have an additional check. The system can block the transition if the application has not been launched in the background recently.
To avoid problems with Deep Links:
- 🔋 Check your energy saving settings: the app should not be “frozen».
- 🔔 Allow auto-run for mission-critical programs.
- 🔗 Make sure the app includes the “Open Android Links” option (available in the app’s settings, if the developer has provided it).
In the new HyperOS shell, algorithms are tighter: If an application has been out of use for a long time, the system can automatically revoke its rights to process links to save battery, and regularly check the status of permissions after major system updates.
⚠️ Warning: Do not completely shut down the protection MIUI Optimization in developer mode to open links. This can disrupt other system functions and make the device vulnerable.
Solving problems with specific applications
Some apps, such as Telegram, WhatsApp or banking clients, have their own internal browser settings, and often the link is opened not in an external browser or in the receiving app, but in the built-in web view.
To get Telegram to open links in an external browser (or vice versa, to forbid it), you need to go to Settings → Data and memory → Page type. There you can choose “In System” (opens in the default browser) or “Inline browser”.
Banking applications are often required to open links only in a secure internal browser, and trying to redirect them to external Chrome can lead to a security error and lock the operation, and it is better to stick to the default settings.
💡
The main problem is often not the lack of customization, but the conflict between the built-in browser of the application and the system browser.
If none of the methods worked, try removing updates to the problematic app and installing it again, and when you first install it, the system will request permissions to process links again, which often solves the problem of “stuck” settings.